Abstract

Ethchlorvynol (ECV) was used to induce unilateral acute lung injury in anesthetized dogs. Measurements of extravascular thermal volume by double-indicator (thermal-dye) dilution with and without left main pulmonary arterial occlusion permitted sequential estimates of extravascular lung water (EVLW) for each lung. Determinations of EVLW by thermal-dye and gravimetric methods were highly correlated (r = 0.80). ECV (9–15 mg/kg) administered into the right pulmonary circulation produced progressive increases in right lung EVLW, which by 120 min post-ECV was increased 152 +/- 22% (SE) over control (P less than 0.001). Left lung EVLW remained unchanged. Similarly, right, but not left, peak airway pressure was increased. Thermal dilution, coupled with electromagnetic methods, permitted estimates of blood flow to each lung. Despite redistribution of flow to the uninjured lung, systemic PO2 decreased (P less than 0.001) and venous admixture increased (P less than 0.05), suggesting impaired matching of ventilation and perfusion. In summary, introduction of ECV into one lung produced unilateral acute lung injury. EVLW increased solely in the injured lung as did peak airway pressure. Although there was a partial redistribution of blood flow away from the injured lung to the uninjured one, it was apparently inadequate to prevent impaired oxygenation of the blood.